A MOTHER of premature twins is holding a bake sale in aid of a charity which helped her through the difficult first weeks of parenthood.

On May 10 last year Katy Gillis gave birth to Poppy and Maggie nine weeks before her due date.

The twins were kept at Royal Berkshire Hospital for 25 days, leaving Mrs Gillis and husband Liam to travel to and from their home in Arborfield.

Babies in Buscot, a charity that provides support for newborns and parents at the hospital, were on hand to make the fretful weeks bearable.

The full time mum said: "Having the girls early was massively emotional.

"Babies and Buscot are there to give you that emotional support, to say it is normal to have all those feelings.

"All the people that run the charity are parents of babies that have been in the unit. It is nice to know you are not the only one feeling how you do."

Now Poppy and Maggie, who were 3lbs 10oz and 3lbs and 12oz at birth, attend the twin club at South Hill Park on Mondays with their mum.

On November 17 between 10am and 11.45am Mrs Gillis will run a cake sale at the centre to raise funds for Babies in Buscot, coinciding with World Prematurity Awareness Day.

Go to www.bibs.org.uk to find out more.